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Style & beauty

Are trouser lengths changing or am I shrinking?

(14 Posts)
Ffion63 Sun 15-May-22 18:39:21

Having had a notion for a pair of trendy wide leg trousers, I ordered a pair from our favourite hight street store …… size 12 regular length. When they arrived they were at least 6 inches too long. I know the Duchess of Cambridge and Meghan Markle like them to sweep the floor but these would have swept the pavement as well as the road! The assistant tells me that M&S have changed the leg lengths of their trousers so I ordered the short length and they fit my 5’6” frame perfectly. Any one else had problems with sizes and lengths?

Esspee Sun 15-May-22 18:51:10

Since lockdown I have been noticing problems with waist and hip measurements.
But that might be just me.☺️?

Ffion63 Sun 15-May-22 18:58:36

Esspee, I think part of the problem with waists and hips is caused by the high waistband on trousers nowadays. Unless you’re a standard shape the garment doesn’t fit well or feels uncomfortable. I’m beginning to feel that the changing room in the store is my second home. ?

JaneJudge Sun 15-May-22 18:59:45

it is because they are wide i think, you most probably could have gone down a size?

I ordered some wide leg ones from seasalt and I am tall but could have gone two sizes down tbh!!

Casdon Sun 15-May-22 19:13:38

The problem with M&S is that the regular length isn’t the same in every style, or even every colour in the same style. I’ve got a tiny tape measure that came free in a Christmas cracker that I take with me now to check them out, I’m 5ft 6 too, and some styles I need regular and some short is long enough. It makes no sense for short to fit me though, I’ve got a 31inch inside leg so they will be way too long on somebody who is say5ft 2 or 3. .

ayse Sun 15-May-22 19:28:19

I’ve just resigned myself to taking trousers up as long as they fit everywhere else.

I now loathe shopping for clothes as it takes ages to find the approximate right size. I wish they’d stop changing the measurements.

M0nica Sun 15-May-22 20:02:35

Casdon I am 5 ft 2in, but with long legs and 31 inch leg would only be slightly long. My usual trouser length in 29/30.

I actually look like a spider, all arms and legs and not much body.

Casdon Sun 15-May-22 20:12:20

I’ve just looked it up, and according to the M&S website, short is now 30”, regular 32” and long 34”. Apparently the average length of leg of a British woman is 29”. So, if the average is 29”, there must be many ladies, not including you Monica, for whom short length is now much too long? ayse has the right idea, just assume they will need taking up - I’ve always tried to get the leg length that fits me, but I’m resigned to buying longer than I need as 30” is too short, and 32” is too long, and having it taken up from now on. I expect it’s changed because younger women tend to be taller?

Grandmadinosaur Sun 15-May-22 21:06:53

Casdon

I’ve just looked it up, and according to the M&S website, short is now 30”, regular 32” and long 34”. Apparently the average length of leg of a British woman is 29”. So, if the average is 29”, there must be many ladies, not including you Monica, for whom short length is now much too long? ayse has the right idea, just assume they will need taking up - I’ve always tried to get the leg length that fits me, but I’m resigned to buying longer than I need as 30” is too short, and 32” is too long, and having it taken up from now on. I expect it’s changed because younger women tend to be taller?

Yes I am one for whom the short length is now too long. At another High St shop I bought some cropped jeans but they are the perfect length on me. Shopping for trousers is such a nightmare these days.

Nandalot Sun 15-May-22 21:11:04

I think I ordered the same ones as you, Ffion63. I had to send the regular back as they were far too long. Ordered the short and still had to turn up the hem.

annodomini Sun 15-May-22 21:15:11

At one time M&S medium length trousers were just right for me. Then I apparently became shorter and now my legs have shrunk again. If I order trousers from Cotton Traders, I can order 27" length which is exactly right for me. I'm wondering if M&S have a 'petite range that would fit me, for length if not width.

Grayling Sun 15-May-22 21:19:17

I was always the tallest girl in my class and I am now wearing "short" trousers from M&S so they definitely have changed their sizing. I would say, however, that I have shrunk over an inch as have many of my elderly friends since reaching over 70yrs of age!!!

Yammy Sun 15-May-22 21:24:33

I got a pair of so called 7/8 from Boden they were full length and another 7/8 on me. and had to go back.
They reminded me of many years ago DH who is not very tall invested in a pair of flares ,as he walked towards me I started laughing he was the man with no feet , he had small feet as well. I was the girl with no boy friend for quite a few weeks afterwards until he saw the funny side himself.grin

BeEmerald Sun 15-May-22 21:42:17

I saw a photograph online of Trinny talking about her successful make up company but I was transfixed by what she was wearing. The trousers she had on were so long that they completely covered her shoes and looked as if they were in folds on the floor. I would imagine if she’d taken a step wearing them she would have tripped over and broken a bone.
I’ve lost height as I’ve aged but the short length pants I live in have shrunk as well so they still fit me.